2021 Subaru WRX vs 2021 Honda Accord
Overview | |
MSRP$27,495 | MSRP$24,970 |
Listings181 | Listings1289 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews9.2 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
2021 Subaru WRX Reviews SummaryWith few exceptions, it’s become harder and harder to find an affordable sports car. Sure, you could get a base-model Mustang or Camaro, but they are cosplaying at being muscle cars. True low-cost, nimble sports cars like the Mazda Miata, Toyota 86, and Subaru BRZ just don’t make as much sense for as many shoppers. That’s the appeal of hot hatches and sports sedans. Cars like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, Honda Civic Si, Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Veloster N, and the vehicle you see here: the 2021 Subaru WRX. It provides sharp cornering and brisk acceleration, but in a sedan package that makes it more sensible than a true, dedicated sports car. The WRX is no longer just a hotted-up version of the Subaru Impreza, as it's based on an older version of that compact car. This means many of the same positives, like standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and negatives, such as a low-grade cabin, apply. So is it worth paying the price of a very well-equipped economy car or even a midsize sedan for daily driving enjoyment? Read on to find out. | |
2021 Honda Accord Reviews SummaryFor the 2021 model year, Honda is taking the Accord in a more elevated direction. The company has refined the Accord’s features list, added a trim level, and priced it right to compete against other heavyweights in the industry. Honda has made safety a priority in the 2021 Accord, helping this fresh version earn high praise. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 268 hp H4 | Engine1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower268 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City30 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway38 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 268 hp H4 | Engine Name1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Torque258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | Torque192 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower268 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City30 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway38 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space12.0 cu ft | Cargo Space16.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight3294 lbs | Curb Weight3150 lbs |
Height58.1 in | Height57.1 in |
Length180.9 in | Length196.1 in |
Width78.9 in | Width73.3 in |
Wheelbase104.3 in | Wheelbase111.4 in |
Maximum Payload1115 lbs | Maximum Payload1149 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $27,495 | $24,970 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 9.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | With few exceptions, it’s become harder and harder to find an affordable sports car. Sure, you could get a base-model Mustang or Camaro, but they are cosplaying at being muscle cars. True low-cost, nimble sports cars like the Mazda Miata, Toyota 86, and Subaru BRZ just don’t make as much sense for as many shoppers. That’s the appeal of hot hatches and sports sedans. Cars like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, Honda Civic Si, Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Veloster N, and the vehicle you see here: the 2021 Subaru WRX. It provides sharp cornering and brisk acceleration, but in a sedan package that makes it more sensible than a true, dedicated sports car. The WRX is no longer just a hotted-up version of the Subaru Impreza, as it's based on an older version of that compact car. This means many of the same positives, like standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and negatives, such as a low-grade cabin, apply. So is it worth paying the price of a very well-equipped economy car or even a midsize sedan for daily driving enjoyment? Read on to find out. | For the 2021 model year, Honda is taking the Accord in a more elevated direction. The company has refined the Accord’s features list, added a trim level, and priced it right to compete against other heavyweights in the industry. Honda has made safety a priority in the 2021 Accord, helping this fresh version earn high praise. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 268 hp H4 | 1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 268 hp @ 5600 rpm | 192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 30 |
MPG Highway | 27 | 38 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 268 hp H4 | 1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 192 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower | 268 hp @ 5600 rpm | 192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 30 |
MPG Highway | 27 | 38 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 12.0 cu ft | 16.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3294 lbs | 3150 lbs |
Height | 58.1 in | 57.1 in |
Length | 180.9 in | 196.1 in |
Width | 78.9 in | 73.3 in |
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 111.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1115 lbs | 1149 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |














CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Subaru WRX is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Accord scores 9.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Honda Accord emerges as the more highly recommended vehicle, offering a superior blend of comfort, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The choice between the WRX and Accord ultimately hinges on individual priorities: performance and driving excitement or comfort, safety, and overall value. For those seeking a well-rounded sedan that excels in nearly every category, the 2021 Honda Accord is the clear winner.
Choose the 2021 Subaru WRX if:
- You prioritize sporty driving dynamics and performance.
- You prefer manual transmission options for a more engaging drive.
- You're looking for a performance sedan at an accessible price point.
Choose the 2021 Honda Accord if:
- You value a refined and comfortable interior with modern technology.
- Safety features and ratings are a priority for you.
- You seek a balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and everyday usability.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Subaru WRX is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Accord scores 9.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Honda Accord emerges as the more highly recommended vehicle, offering a superior blend of comfort, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The choice between the WRX and Accord ultimately hinges on individual priorities: performance and driving excitement or comfort, safety, and overall value. For those seeking a well-rounded sedan that excels in nearly every category, the 2021 Honda Accord is the clear winner.
Choose the 2021 Subaru WRX if:
Shop Now- You prioritize sporty driving dynamics and performance.
- You prefer manual transmission options for a more engaging drive.
- You're looking for a performance sedan at an accessible price point.
Choose the 2021 Honda Accord if:
Shop Now- You value a refined and comfortable interior with modern technology.
- Safety features and ratings are a priority for you.
- You seek a balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and everyday usability.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.







































